the friday brief
3 things that matter
miami elected eileen higgins — its first democratic mayor in nearly 30 years and its first woman mayor ever
higgins won the runoff with 59.1% of the vote, outperforming polling averages by nearly 8 points and flipping a city last led by a democrat in 1996. turnout exceeded previous municipal runoffs by an estimated 12–15%, driven by voter concerns over housing costs that have risen 34% since 2020, record insurance premiums, and climate-driven infrastructure failures.
her opponent, trump-backed emilio gonzález, ran on tax cuts and permitting reform but underperformed in precincts that had swung sharply right in 2024. democrats view the nearly 19-point margin as evidence that economic pressure — especially miami’s median rent surpassing $2,350/month — is reshaping local coalitions.
the u.s. seized a sanctioned venezuelan oil tanker — sharply escalating maritime tensions
u.s. forces seized the skipper, a venezuelan-flagged tanker sanctioned since 2022, during an interdiction in international waters west of trinidad. the vessel had recently loaded an estimated 1.8 million barrels of crude — roughly two days of Venezuela’s current production — and had partially offloaded cargo before interception.
officials say the seizure is part of a stepped-up maritime enforcement push: more than 20 vessels have been interdicted since september, and u.s. naval presence in the region has increased by 35%, including deployments tied to the USS Gerald R. Ford. crude markets reacted modestly, but shipping insurers raised regional risk surcharges by 5–8%, citing uncertainty after caracas denounced the operation as “international piracy.
the interior department ordered national parks to purge gift shops of dei merchandise by december 19
the directive, issued in november, applies to more than 400 park-affiliated retail sites nationwide and requires concessionaires to submit compliance reports by december 19. internal memos describe a review of merchandise referencing civil rights, women’s equality, and other “ideological” themes — categories that advocacy groups say represent a significant share of educational sales at major historical sites.
the national park service already faces an estimated $23 billion maintenance backlog and more than 3,000 staff vacancies, raising concerns that the purge diverts limited resources toward politically motivated audits. early feedback from park educators notes that affected items include materials tied to eras and figures central to the parks’ own interpretive mandates.
1 thing to know
supreme court poised to expand presidential power
the supreme court heard arguments monday in a case that could overturn nearly 90 years of limits on presidential control over independent agencies. the dispute centers on whether president trump can remove federal trade commission member rebecca slaughter without cause, despite statutes requiring proof of “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.”
the conservative majority appeared open to weakening those protections, a shift that could ripple across more than two dozen agencies — including the ftc, sec, and consumer product safety commission, and potentially even the federal reserve. liberal justices warned that such a ruling would grant the president “massive unchecked power” and effectively dissolve the notion of agency independence.
the broader implication: a decision in trump’s favor would fundamentally redraw the balance between the white house and the administrative state, bringing independent regulators under direct presidential control for the first time in modern history.
1 thing to try
elevating your stationery with a bespoke monogram
the challenge with handwritten notes isn’t knowing what to say — it’s starting. you intend to send thank-yous and small check-ins, but the blank card can make the gesture feel heavier than it is. personalized stationery removes that pause. the card already feels finished — you’re just adding the words.
a simple way to begin: order a set before the holidays. keep them visible on your desk or bedside table. when the cards are within reach, the habit forms — and the gratitude you mean to express actually gets sent (this crane & co. set is a great place to start).
